An afternoon of light showers yesterday turned into a night of heavy rain with about an inch falling at Horton so once again the river is in full flood.  Its dawned brighter this morning with just a light breeze, the forecast is for some sun later so fishing should be rewarding later.

Its interesting to see from the emails I have had over the last couple of days from members who fished here on Friday and Saturday that even in high water the brownies were taking.  Some preferring small salmon flies to the usual patterns.  Ian W got a 9 lb salmon on Friday as well as 3 brace of wild brownies.

I'm off shortly to Staithes near Whitby to collect a batch of white runner ducks.  This trip has been pending for almost a week now, but the weather either here or over in east Yorkshire has delayed it from day to day.  I'm keen to get this flock settled in before the onset of autumn.  Ducks are not the brightest of creatures and generally take a fair bit of encouragement to recognise a new home.  They also have a propensity to play follow my leader with the most dominant duck setting the strategy for the whole flock.  Provided that you can persuade the leader to do what's wanted you are OK, but if it decides on its own plan of action then toe whole lot tend to follow suite.  The biggest challenge is getting them shut up at night and herding ducks into a new duck house demands the patience of a Saint.  However, once they eventually do recognise home life becomes a little less fraught.

So with a bit of luck the army of slugs in my garden will soon be turning into duck eggs.

Ian